Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai will return to the Liverpool starting lineup against Southampton at St. Mary’s on Sunday.
Liverpool are currently five points clear of defending champions Manchester City, and they will look to increase the lead at the top of the table when they lock horns with Southampton at Sr. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester City were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and this is a golden opportunity for Liverpool to put some daylight between themselves and the other title challengers.
The Reds have picked up five wins from the last six matches in all competitions, and they are full of confidence and momentum. The away side have an excellent record against Southampton, and they should be able to grind out another positive result here.
The visitors will be without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Federico Chiesa. Arne Slot provided an update on Alisson and Alexander-Arnold during his pre-match press conference.
Arne Slot has revealed, “[Alisson] is back in training with the goalkeeper coach. He is not training with the team yet, but that is expected to be done soon, and then let’s wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness. But he is getting better and better, but not ready to play [on] Sunday.
“Trent isn’t training with us yet, but he is getting there so we expect him to be back with us soon. Jota is still apart from the group, same as Federico, who is coming back into the session maybe in one exercise today. They are all expected to be back within now and a few weeks, but the last part of the recovery is always the most difficult one. So, let’s wait and see.”
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Southampton, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal. 21-year-old Irishman Conor Bradley is likely to deputise in the absence of Alexander-Arnold as the right-back. Andrew Robertson will continue as the left-back here. The two players will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Virgil van Dijk will start alongside Ibrahima Konate at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister will add creativity and control to the side alongside Ryan Gravenberch, who will add composure and defensive cover. Dominik Szoboszlai will start in the attacking midfield, role and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third.
Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will start on either side of him and they will look to add goals and flair to the side. Finally, Darwin Nunez will lead the line for Liverpool against Southampton on Sunday.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
